Comet readers have been thanked for their “wonderfully generous” response to a children’s Christmas toy appeal.

Hundreds of toys have now been collected by Keech Hospice Care and will be given to youngsters in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire who have terminal and life-limiting illnesses.

“Patients, families and staff at Keech would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made a donation to the Comet Toy Appeal,” said the hospice’s corporate fundraiser Maggie Doust.

“The response was wonderfully generous and very heart-warming. Play is such an important part of the care we provide for our children, allowing them to have fun, laugh and enjoy themselves. So it’s lovely to know that these gifts will make a difference to our children, especially at Christmas.”